Many People Could Benefit From Compression Therapy. Are You One of Them?

Inflammation and the buildup of fluids in the body’s tissues are both known to be major causes of pain and fatigue for a variety of people of different walks of life. Sometimes, this is because of a diagnosable medical condition, and the compression garments are clinically proven to work in conjunction with physical therapy. At other times, it is because lifestyle choices have created a situation where controlling swelling, inflammation, and fluid buildup has its advantages in its own right. This infographic explains the different situations where compression garments could reduce the risk of injury or alleviate symptoms of other conditions, such as:

Lymphedema Patients and Surgical Patients

The two categories of patient that are most likely to be receiving clinical care that goes with compression garment use are lymphedema patients and those who have recently had surgery. The reasons are similar but different. In the case of lymphedema patients, it is because cancer treatments have a side effect that involves the buildup of lymphatic fluid in the tissues, and the garments help to control the swelling from that buildup. For surgery patients, compression garments can limit movement, improve blood flow, and they can even help prevent the formation of blood clots.

Frequent Fliers and Long-Haul Truckers

If you spend a lot of time sitting still in transit, compression garments can act as a preventative health measure for many of the same reasons that they are so beneficial to surgery patients. The compression improves blood flow and reduces the chance of muscle and nerve damage that can come from being sedentary. The improved blood flow also helps to offset the chances of blood clots developing, which is a major concern among those who fly very, very frequently.

Athletes

Inflammation and fluid buildup don’t just affect patients with serious health conditions. Any time the body is stressed or injured, its response tends to be to use inflammation and fluid buildup as a way of cushioning the injury and allowing it to heal. This process even engages at the extremely small scale, like when you break down muscle tissue during a workout and it grows back stronger. Using a compression garment during and after athletics can help with blood flow, stabilize joints, and it can help control any inflammation or irritation that happens as a result of an intense workout.

Nurses and Retail Workers

The truth is, anyone who spends long stretches of their day standing could use the extra support and reinforcement that comes from compression garments as a tool even if the inflammation reducing qualities were not so well-documented. Standing up for long periods of time causes fatigue and it can lead to pain and swelling, so using compression garments can add life to your standing workday, and regular use can even help with long-term pain associated with working conditions.

Pregnant Women

As with all things, if you are pregnant you should consult a doctor before trying any new medical solutions. At the same time, though, if you have low blood pressure, swelling in the legs and feet, or a variety of other issues related to your pregnancy that are threatening to sideline your activity, it’s worth discussing whether you are a candidate for compression therapy for many of the reasons outlined here.

There are a number of other uses for compression garments, but they boil down to the same principles: controlling inflammation, improving blood flow, and supporting your joints and muscles. If those sound like benefits that could help you reach your goals, then you might need to have a conversation with your health professionals about whether or not it is time for you to start using compression garments.